These would set out possible threats to privacy and how that threat could be minimised.

The Information Commissioner's Office was set up to uphold data protection laws and to promote public access to official information.

Mr Thomas' comments - included in his submission to a Home Affairs Select Committee inquiry which meets in London on Tuesday - follow his recent warnings that Britain is now a "surveillance society".

In his submission, the Information Commissioner calls for penalties for data protection breaches to be stepped up. He recommends all public sector bodies follow a new code of practice on how they pool information. And Mr Thomas wants his powers to be increased to inspect and audit organisations suspected of breaching privacy laws without their consent.

At present, the commissioner must get permission before inspecting organisations over Data Protection Act issues. In his submission, Mr Thomas says schemes which have a "surveillance society" dimension should take privacy concerns into account.

These include identity cards, the creation of the National Identity Register, greater Government powers to access private sector data and plans for vehicle tracking.

Mr Thomas said: "It is essential that before new surveillance technologies are introduced full consideration is given to the impact on individuals and that safeguards are in place to minimise intrusion."

The Information Commissioner is giving evidence at the Home Affairs Select Committee's A Surveillance Society? inquiry hearing in London on Tuesday morning.